Day 17 of Fitness – Group Personal Training at Get in Shape for Women

I remember in school, there were some days when I hadn’t completed an entire reading assignment or quite gotten through every math problem. On those days, I could just sit near the back, avoid eye contact with the teacher, and scoot through those class discussions without anyone really noticing that I had slacked off. Today’s workout made me realize that I occasionally do the same thing in my fitness classes! Some days if I’m just not feeling like working hard, I can pick a spot near the back, move a little slower or lift lighter weights, and nobody notices. That was not the case at this morning’s 30 Days of Fitness workout at Get in Shape for Women. The format of this gym is group personal training, and that personal attention bumped up my workout to the next level—past that, in fact!

Weight Training at Get In Shape for Women

At Get in Shape for Women, each hour is spent with only a handful of other women, and the trainers give each of you personal attention through the weights and cardio intervals. Sandy and I went to train together this morning, and it was an all-around great experience. We filled out paperwork before beginning to let our trainers know about any issues, and then got right to work. We began with weight training, where our trainers, Jake and Cedric, took us from area to area to work our backs, cores, legs and arms. During each exercise, our trainers would check in with us about form, how we felt, and if the weight was appropriate. Plus, weekly, they change up those intervals and movements so that you’re always getting a varied workout.

After the weights section, we each moved over to the cardio area. I have a serious mental block about running (I have it in my head that I’m terrible at it, so I almost never do it), but again, that personal attention from the trainer had me confident that I could push a little further. So I hopped on the treadmill, and after 30 minutes of running and walking intervals, had gone exactly two miles. Though that may not seem like much to some people, it was an achievement for me, and my trainers were encouraging when they saw me effort, helpful and comforting when I needed to slow it down a little after 15 minutes, and proud of me when I bumped my speed back up near the end. Sandy, meanwhile, tackled the cardio portion like a champ. This was her favorite part of the exercise, and it also shows another benefit of the group personal training—unlike some fitness classes, it’s not obvious here if your fitness level is drastically different than someone else’s. Had Sandy and I tried to run outside together, she would have left me in the dust! But in the cardio area, she could run at her fast pace and I could do what was right for me without either of us overdoing it or underdoing it. This would be a great way to work out with friends of all fitness levels, because the trainers personalize the workout, but you’re all still there together.

Because the trainers were giving us personal attention and kept a continuous conversation to evaluate our workload and exertion level, Sandy and I both ended up working much harder than in my typical workouts. This was a wonderful experience because it showed me that even though I sometimes think I’ve reached my limit, my physical limits are much further past my mental ones. I’m stronger than I knew! Sandy felt the same way, noticing that the trainers simultaneously encouraged all of us while helping us push ourselves further. Sandy also said the interaction with the trainers helped the hour fly by, since they consistently talked about the day’s exercises, her past experiences and future goals.

Janey Walker, Cedric Morris and Jennifer Spann at Get In Shape for Women

The confidence we gained today is priceless. In addition to the confidence, we got to take something tangible away from our workout: a body composition report. At the end, we hopped on what looked like a regular scale, but was much more. Jake input our height and age, and then when we each stepped on the scale, it not only weighed us but printed out a small report of our BMI, body fat percentages and more. If you train here regularly, this would be a fantastic tool to give you numerical evidence of the changes you’ll see in your body. After that, they offered us cups of protein shake to replenish our bodies, which brings up another aspect of this gym—nutrition. Co-owner Janey Walker emphasized that nutrition is a crucial part of everyone’s fitness journey, and because of that, she and the other trainers can provide you with sample meals and on-the-phone support for your healthy eating. In addition to all of these resources, today they kicked off their first ever clothing swap. As their clients get in better shape and drop pounds, they can bring in their clothes that don’t fit anymore, and women at every stage in their fitness journey can find clothes that better fit their new and improved bodies.

To join this wonderful team of trainers and women dedicated to healthier lives, check out their website at www.getinshapeforwomen.com or call owners Janey Walker and Jennifer Spann to sign up for a free trial week. Today’s the day to stop slacking at the back of the class—head right up to the chalkboard and get to work!